Command Sergeant Major James Brandt is a native of Midland, Texas, he graduated from Midland high School in 1996 and enlisted into the Army in 1997 as an 11X, infantryman. CSM Brandt attended OSUT at Ft. Benning, Ga before being assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. He had a follow-on assignment to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Tx. CSM Brandt held various positions while assigned to the infantry from SAW gunner to Squad Leader before being selected for recruiting duty in 2001.
After graduation from the Army Recruiter Course, he was assigned to the Fremont Recruiting Station, Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion. Upon his reclassification he was assigned as the Station Commander for the Greenville Recruiting Station then the Grand Rapids Recruiting Station, both in the Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion. In 2009, CSM Brandt was assigned as the Station Commander for the Plover Recruiting Station, Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion. In 2012 CSM Brandt was assigned as a Master Trainer for the 5th Recruiting Brigade, Ft. Sam Houston, Tx until 2104 when he was selected for MSG and assumed the responsibilities of 1SG for the Jacksonville Recruiting Company, Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion. In 2017, CSM Brandt was selected to become the Operations Sergeant Major for the Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion. In 2019 CSM Brandt was selected to attend the Sergeants Majors Academy and after completion was assigned to the New England Recruiting Battalion as the Operations Sergeant Major where he served from 2020-2022.
CSM Brandt is a graduate of Army NCOES schools through the Sergeants Majors Academy, the Master Trainer Course, Army Resiliency Course, and the Company Commander/1SG Course. He holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University.
CSM Brandt’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), the Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), the Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), the Drivers Badge (wheeled), the Gold Recruiter Badge with three sapphire stars, the Recruiter Ring, the Glen E. Morrell Order of Recruiting Excellence, and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge.
CSM Brandt is married to Mrs. Jessica Brandt of Midland, TX and they have two children, Noah, 23 of Ft. Bragg, NC and Grace, 21 of San Antonio, Tx.